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*sigh* Im tired of freaking out about BF |
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Tired
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 13 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 170 |
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Posted: January 13 2006 at 10:42am |
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I stumbled upon this forum kind of by accident, and while reading over
it the past few days I have found it to be quite interesting.
First off, Im having some problems with this Bird Flu stuff. Lately for some reason I cannot get it off my mind. I believe that I am starting to worry myself sick. Im loosing sleep over it, and I have my husband convinced that I am either on the verge of a complete breakdown, or Im absolutely insane. Im just so stressed out about it. Im absolutely confused about what and what NOT to believe. I've come across alot of sites where people or "experts" seem to be telling me to accept the inevitable and to kiss my bum goodbye, and then I come across other sites that tell me not to worry about it. I just dont know what to believe. I would love for someone who isnt trying to provoke sheer panic and fear in me to tell me just how worried I need to be. Im not asking anyone to lie to me by any means, but I am just so sick of going to site after site reading all of these worst case senarios. NOBODY in my family is worried in any shape or form, which leads me to A..they are NOT up on current events, or B...maybe I am insane to be freaked out day and night by this. Im not so much worried about myself, but I am a Mother of two young children, one of which has asthma. I've seen what the NORMAL flu can do to him, so it makes me absolutely white in the face to think about what a horrible strain like BF would do to him. Thoughts, opinions are much appreciated! |
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Better to be safe than sorry.... |
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DarlMan
V.I.P. Member Joined: December 26 2005 Status: Offline Points: 140 |
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First - I also have asthma an even though I am very lax about getting the Flu shot every year, you could get your children the Pneumonia vaccine. The flu itself is not the killer, but the resulting pneumonia is. Therefore, you can get a vaccine and know that you have done the most important thing you can do for your children.
After that RELAX. We are viewing an unfolding human drama in real time. There will people who are right and those that are wrong. It will be useful to see why those that were wrong went astray in their thinking so it can be avoided or at least recognized should we face something similar again. We are faced with a version of Pascal's wager: Prepare for Pandemic - there is a pandemic - we're cool Not Prepare   ; - there is no pandemic - we're cool Prepare for Pandemic - there is no pandemic - we're cool Not Prepare   ; - there is a pandemic - Not So Cool Therefore some preperation is healthy. Get the pneumonia vaccine and if you shop at a SAM's club or some thing like that, just pick up a few bulk items that won't go bad. Then sleep the sleep of the just. |
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History shows again and again
How nature points out the folly of men |
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Hello Tired, I also have felt what you are feeling. I dont know where you live, but as a resident of Southern California, I have realized by reading this forum that I am severely underprepared for emergencies such as this or even earthquakes. It could not hurt to have some non perishable food and water set aside for your family in case of emergency, whatever it may be. I have started to collect emergency preparations for my family, and I figure it couldnt hurt to have some latex gloves and masks on hand as well (only costs about $30 to get a small set together). As responsible parents we should have some emergency supplies available. There is no need to panic. We live in a world that is prone to natural disaster and plague, and this is just a fact of life. Whether it be bird flu, a hurricane, whatever, chances are that we all will face a challenge in our lifetime. Throughout history mankind has been faced with many challenges, this is just a part of life, a part of survival. So embrace today, it is a beautiful day. Do what you can to be prepared for emergency, and then get on with your day. What point is today if your worries have already robbed you of your joy? If we allow our fears to ruin today, then we are already defeated.
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Tired
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 13 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 170 |
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Thanks for the replies. It's much appreciated.
Im going to get my kiddies in for pneumonia shots. My youngest, with asthma, has gotten pheumonia before, and he was hospitalized for a week. So the shot is definately a wise choice, BF threat or no. Come to think of it, I wonder why his asthma specialist has never mentioned or recommended he get this vaccine before........ Justme, I agree that by me sitting here worrying I am not going to change anything that might happen. I wish I could just be more relaxed about it, but it's scary. Edited by Tired |
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Better to be safe than sorry.... |
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Angel
Valued Member Joined: December 08 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 346 |
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Tired...I have hold the same feelings as you. I am so confused about the news reports and angry the US news don't get it right if at all they report some of what is going on. But I believe it is best as justme said to have some food and water stacked away. I, also, feel that "knowledge" is the key to survival. On these sites I have learned so much about virus and how to live without electric, how to cook, etc. These are skills we all need to have for any natural or man made disaster that may hit our area. Being prepared, having knowledge of what is going on and a little input on what to do will help you and your family get through anything. I think it will help with the stress of it all too. Do what I do when things get tough....."Put it in Gods hands" and let it go. That is where faith come in.
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Angel
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Paul
V.I.P. Member Joined: December 10 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 157 |
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Tired,
I stumbled on to this site feeling the same as you...alone because no one else was worried around me. I also have questioned my own sanity. My reasons for getting ready for a world in panic is not only from the bird flu. The economic condition of the U.S. is very frail and getting worse. The dollar remains strong only because people believe it to be, that could change and most of us will be thrown in to poverty. The reasons I take bird flu seriously is mostly due to the way world leaders are acknowledging it's threat. When a country as big as Russia declares war on birds you know that they believe something very dangerous is lurking. Governments are very frightened of upsetting the economic apple cart because it's like a house of cards. The fact that they risk causing a panic is enough for me to take this very seriously. Buy food that you'll eat eventually....rice, beans, and noodles are so cheap as insurance. I'm thinking about getting a wheat grass juicer. Plenty of grass in this world and extremely nutritious. |
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Seeking like minded individuals that would like to have a back up plan if this thing really takes hold. I'm in the midst of buying some very remote land and I need some earthy people to join me.
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kimmy
V.I.P. Member Joined: December 06 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 100 |
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I think it is a good idea to make preparations for possible emergencies or difficult times; we live in a very uncertain world. However, I try to keep things balanced in my head. There is a fine line between getting prepared and obsessive/compulsive disorder. |
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Corn
Valued Member Joined: December 13 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1219 |
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Preperation will give you new confidence and courage to take on new challenges, by preparing you remove yourself from the payday to payday death grip of moden society with just on time delivery. most of our nation is two paychecks away from homelessness. if you;re prepared for contingencies, it allows you time to think and adjust to problems instead of a just reacting. besides preping is not a bad example for the kids. drill it in them and you will bestow them with wisdom. |
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Hah, this is what I get for actually doing my paid job and being away from the board all day... you already have some good answers to your post I was going to respond to. First of all, welcome aboard! Second: Been there, Done that! This spring I was absolutely manic about learning all I could, researching what I needed to do, get, plan for. I spent most of 2005 running on no sleep or at most about 4 hours. I have cried my eyes out in frustration and desperation at alternating times. I have screamed and thrown objects across the great room while having a break with my thin veneer of sanity. I have had periods of total despondency ( long time depression sufferer). But always manage to bring myself back to being able to pass as a sane person eventually. The problem I have had is that I am the one who has had to make all the decisions for my family based on what I was able to decipher and glean. It was a responsibility that, all joking aside, nearly drove me crazy. Please don't do that to yourself!!!!!!! There is lots of information available now, many have done the leg work already, you don't have to start from scratch. Ask questions, someone here probably could answer it or point you in the direction for you to look. Believe me, we have all asked questions too. Many here have made the commitment to help the virtual residents here and we are more than happy and willing to lend our time and emotional support as you can see by the responses you have already received. Having two small children gives you a perspective that some here understand and some here wouldn't have a clue...it is a position that most wouldn't envy. We are here to help! Please feel free to PM me anytime if you have an issue that you don't want to put on the board. |
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Tired
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 13 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 170 |
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Thank you all so much for your replies. Its nice to know that I can
come here and have conversations with people who dont think Im
"paranoid" or "crazy".
My fear over the BF just started a week and a half ago, so Im still in "the shock phase" when I read worst case senarios put out by health officials, experts, ect. Im going to start working on my supply kit this weekend. I just worry about my parents, and brother and sister in law, who think that preparing for something like this is pointless. |
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Better to be safe than sorry.... |
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kimmy
V.I.P. Member Joined: December 06 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 100 |
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Tired, It is best to prepare a little bit at a time, then it is not so overwhelming to you. Nobody on this forum will think you are crazy, only smart. |
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Tired, It's still too early in the game to call it yet. And those "worse case scenarios" you referred to...unless you are seeing experts that I have missed, most of those are in reality "best case scenarios" based on something other than a slightly more virulent virus than normal human flu. Unfortunately we won't know unit it "hits". Some figures that are reasonable: Morbidity should run between 30 & 50% (that's infection). Most don't expect mortality to be less than 2% and some are openly entertaining the idea that it could be as bad as 10%. Using these high end figures 50% attack rate & 10% fatality rate would = 15 million dead in the US alone. The flip side to keep in the forefront of your thoughts is that even though 15 million is a shocking figure, 285 million would remain alive and able to carry on and pick up the pieces. Those aren't bad odds when you get right down to it!!!! Which is why being prepared may make all the difference and allow you and yours to be part of the 285,000,000 US survivors.
Edited by SophiaZoe |
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Sophie, we need to look at the mortality rate for Turkey after all of this brushfire dies down. Of course, we will never know how many cases went unreported, but right now I'd say we are probably below 2% in that country. Time will tell. |
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Rocky
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 07 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 219 |
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Has anyone had problems getting the pneumonia vaccine for people
under age 65? I can't find a health department (WA state) who would consider vaccinating my family. I have grown children ages 30-45 (all teachers) and 2 school age grandkids. Anyone have any suggestions? BTW The Health Dept. did recommended anyone 65 or older who had the pneumonia vaccine 5 or more years ago, to get a booster. To me, this situation is particularly alarming because if we do have a pandemic and it is anything like 1918, the worst hit were the younger people (about 20-40 year olds) in good health, with strong immune systems. As I understand it, their deaths were caused by a violent immune system reaction to the pneumonia following the original virus. Thanks |
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Rocky |
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Just tell the doctor that you have frequent respiratory distress.
Every winter I had a chronic case of chest congestion that consistently
threatened to get worse and never seemed to go away. As a child I
almost died from pneumonia. At any rate, a few years ago, I had
the pneumonia shot, and my problems all went away for about five years.
They slowly reappeared and I got the shot again. I just had my
third shot and am 58.
The shots work for me because (I am prone to pneumonia like problems and) they go away for years after the shot. Doctors are instructed that the shot can be used for that purpose, though it was primarily intended to help those who are over 65 years of age with weakened immune systems. |
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meewee
Valued Member Joined: December 13 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 595 |
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Tired, you certainly came to the right place! Listen to these good folks and believe in your gut! That is a survival instinct that is inherent in all people! (and species.) I was in your shoes and it took 6 months of ignoring my husband and continuing to prep in the face of everything. Once I told him that he did not have the right to make a life or death decision for me...if he chose not to think that way that was his right but he DID NOT have that right for me. The rest of my family i.e. the kids; I left it up to them and made it known that up to a certain point they were most welcome here....BUT they had to clear a 2 week isolation in the shop which I now have set up, first. As for the rest of my family...I finally had to accept that as much as I love them, I do not have the right to make or force that decision on them. I have given them the facts, directed them to the web-sites what they do beyond that is their own right of decision. I have also let them know in no un-certain terms that they will not be welcome here. This BS of if SHTF well We'll just come stay with you is a no go here! I have my hubbie and children to take care of and I just do not have the resources to save the rest of my family, let alone the world. And believe me it broke my heart to finally admit it! I can only do what I can and let God take care of the rest. But also know that prepping has other bewnefits. You or your Husband could get sick, lose your job ...any number of things. Being stocked up allows you the freedom to be able to concentrate on paying the bills without trying to figure out how to survive and put food on the table because it will already be there. No, honey you are not crazy! And there is not one of us that has not gone through the same thoughts or feelings and emotions that you are going through now!...So enough for now and I will get off my soap box! But I hope this helps! Meewee |
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God Bless us all!
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dakota112
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 07 2006 Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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Dont feel bad about preparing yourselves and family. I am the son of an aushwitz survivor whose family wasnt so fortunate. Ive learned to live life preparing for calamities and hope to god you never need them. Arm yourself, have food water, medicine and whatever you think you might need to stay in your home for a while including coloring books, crayons etc. Im an internist and most of my associates dont feel this is gonna be a big thing. I told them not to knock on my door. Its not gonna open.Stay well all, take care of yourselves and hope this thing blows over. I fear personally however it wont. Ive seen alot of death from just regular flu.
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Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst!
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Joe: I give your theory due credit, but I wouldn't present it as settled just yet. I think your theory of "Mild Flu" is as valid as my theory of "Endemic Exposure vs Virgin Territory" and worth just as much as these good folk have paid for them....Ziltch. At least until the dominate strain makes itself known. I don't understand how anyone can assume a mild strain will win the battle when it has been proved that H5N1 has a propensity to cause a cytokine cascade. Until we know we won't be facing THAT particular monster, I won't be counting on or planning for anything less than 5% mortality worldwide. Dakota: As an internist, do you have any insight into what people should do to help them be prepared???? I would like to PM you a question re: Holocaust survivor. Please PM me if this would be OK. |
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libbyalex
Adviser Group Joined: December 20 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 795 |
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We have a 3 year old son who has been hospitalized with severe croup. If you want to share concerns or ideas about prepping for young kids, please feel free to PM me (which means "private message"). -- Libby
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It's scary time boys and girls .... If the lethal H5N1 emerges as "the strain" I have morbidity of 50% with a killing rate of 50%. The lethal H5N1 version has an actual killing rate of around 75%, so it would weaken down to 50%. It will take a clean 25% of the pop right off the top - Most within the first 6 months. U.S 75 mill dead. Either way, how tough could it be to be one of the 225,000,000 mill? Are you scared yet? Don't forget about additional deaths from possible starvation, looting etc.... And then you have the chronically ill people that will not be able to receive treatment for their med conditions. Even if half die, those are still pretty good odds. The last worst case scenario is that all bets are off because we're now dealing with the super bug. That would mean to expect the unexpected. Remember, it's not a proven theory that it will weaken when it goes h2h as it did for H1N1 during the Spanish Flu. We're now dealing with the super bug. It may remain as deadly as it is now when it goes h2h. Edited by Albert |
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meewee
Valued Member Joined: December 13 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 595 |
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I agree Albert! Meewee |
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God Bless us all!
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Tired
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 13 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 170 |
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Albert, did you really have to post that in this thread? And just when
I thought that I couldnt possibly get anymore freaked out!
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Better to be safe than sorry.... |
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Albert, I agree with you that there is no guarantee that H5N1 will weaken as H1N1 did. We will just have to see. But I think it's safe to say that even officially H5N1 is killing LESS than 50% now. And that's only the officially admitted cases. You get a distorted picture if you count all victims from the start. If you only count the 2005 victims I think you get a clearer picture of what's going on now vs two/three years ago. |
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Albert, good point on the first family from Turkey. A valid point that I didn't connect! Thanks....I think. |
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My guess is that there have already been over 50 Million infected and
99% of them didn't even know they were sick. Of those who knew
they were sick, only about 80 officially have died. My guess is
that thousands have died from pneumonia (Dengue, Mystery illnesses,
encephalitis...) but not been recorded as dead from H5N1 in SEA, China
India, Pakistan, Iran and so on. After all, it is just pneumonia.
Or is it? Only blood tests for antibodies will tell. Some were done in China that indicated a good percentage of the population had H5N1 antibodies. Just like in Vietnam, they do not know when they were sick. "Some experts like Peter Palese of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York ...notes that studies of serum collected in 1992 from people in rural China indicated that millions there had antibodies to the H5N1 strain. That means they had been infected with an H5N1 bird virus and recovered, apparently without incident." Edited by JoeNeubarth |
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I try to maintain an objective stance. But, I've yet to have read an article where the WHO has stated that the Bird Flu has reached epidemic proportions or has mutated to H2H. Also, every site I've visited has had a handful of alarmists who take things out of context for their doomsday scenarios and post scary statements which usually begin with "I saw on tv or read somewhere that....". Those are the kind of posts that can throw a frightened person into a panic. Don't fall prey to it. My guy believes that the pandemic is inevitable and has prepared for it. He like you, is very worried. I am more concerned about him being worried about the pandemic than I am about any possibility of a pandemic. I suffered the pneumonia shot just to appease him. I'll stay on the fence. But if you asked me which way I was leaning, I'd say that I don't think there's anything to worry about. BTW, I am very up on current events. Take care and get some sleep. |
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Corn
Valued Member Joined: December 13 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1219 |
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Can I have your preps?
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Please elaborate. I'm very interested. |
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kimmy
V.I.P. Member Joined: December 06 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 100 |
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Appalled, There is a possibility that a pandemic could occur, and I think that making "reasonable" preparations is a smart thing to do (food, water, supplies). However, there is a point where it can begin to control your thinking; that is when it turns into an obsessive/compulsive disorder. I agree, there are many alarmists out there that are predicting a doomsday scenerio about the bird flu. I am trying to stay optimistic. I predicted the American way of life would end during Y2K, and nothing happened. I do not want to look like a fool again! |
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I secretly believe people are stockpiling and just not sharing this imformation it not cool to stockpile . But sometimes it feels that people are just watcing desparate housewives and dont watch the news But i feel somewhat guilty about stockpiling food. . You are responsinble for your family never the less ,your children lives are your responsibitiy and they need to be responsible .Unfortunatly doing the right thing can still feels stupid and selfish its a lie that doing the right thing feels right all the time. Edited by RBARNES55 |
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